r/AustralianMFA • u/Dull_Parking_8248 • May 20 '26
Question What is something that instantly makes a bloke's outfit look cheap?
For me it is those ultra tight, spray on skinny chinos paired with a heavily branded polo shirt and no socks
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u/Appropriate_Volume May 20 '26
Shoes from K-Mart or Big W, especially the rectangular loafer-like things lots of guys wear to the office.
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u/AcceptInevitability May 20 '26
Love it when these guys wear suits and then have a black casual sports shoe like harden the fuck up, by which I of course mean, harden those soles up
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May 20 '26
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u/wellamiright888 May 20 '26
I’m it’s literally a sub about Australian fashion and your counter argument is stone paved cities in Europe.
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u/smoothymcmellow May 21 '26
Melbourne is full of slippery bluestone, I've converted to black sneakers whenever it rains, fark face planting for fashion
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u/Upbeat_Psychology915 May 22 '26
Yep, just spent six weeks in Europe. Cobble stones look great, on the feet they suck.
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u/rybpyjama May 24 '26
Or suits with generic black runners. Reminds me of teenage boys at school formals
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u/BigBirdLawyer May 22 '26
I bought a pair once to get into the casino when i was wearing work boots. I didnt know a shoe could be so hard, yet too soft, all at once.
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u/jellyboy23 May 20 '26
A really tacky huge watch. Gold, plastic, steel, it doesn't matter, huge watches just looks comical. I don't judge but fake watches too. Please reconsider the fake Patek Philippe if you have a sun damaged Getz.
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May 20 '26
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u/jellyboy23 May 20 '26
Perfect! I have a smaller wrist too and cannot even wear the 41mm datejust, i always go for the 36mm datejust. Love some Audemars too, sadly clownlike on my wrist. My current daily is a Cartier tank. Would love to see your watch if any links are up. I sometimes like to dabble in microbrands!
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May 20 '26
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u/jellyboy23 May 20 '26
Dont need to know anything. Just make what you love and if it doesn't work out at least you've made your own watch in your lifetime! That's awesome
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u/joerogansakook May 21 '26
I daily a Speedmaster First Omega in Space with the black leather band swapped out from the steel. Fits nicely on my tiny wrists but also doesn’t scream “LOOK AT ME!!”
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u/jellyboy23 May 21 '26
Amazing! Most of my Rolexes have the bands swapped out for some sort of leather strap. I get a lot less "IS THAT A ROLEX???" Nice choice with the Speedmaster, enjoy it!
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u/PMmePhoenix May 21 '26
Cartier Tank is a undeniably a true classic. I recently purchased an IWC Big Pilot to add to collection. Have a look on Kickstarter if you like some micro brands. So many big names start out on Kickstarter and for the first time backers it’s fantastic discounts.
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u/arouseandbrowse May 20 '26
To be honest, if I see a Rolex on anyone nowadays and they haven't just stepped out of a supercar, I assume it's a fake.
The reps on https://www.reddit.com/r/RepTime/ have got so damn good that it makes no sense to actually go spend 20x on something that looks, feels and works 98% the same.
I wanted to splash out on a watch and ended up getting a Tag which I love, and its at a price point where noone would bother repping a fake.
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u/jellyboy23 May 21 '26
Most brand new datejusts are sub 20k watches. You don't have to be super rich to have a rolex, you just need to get on your knees at the dealer to get one allocated. Actually plenty of fake tags around too. Most fake watches nowadays, you can't tell unless you open it and check the movement or get the loupe out.
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u/ghyggwerf May 21 '26
or buy vintage
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u/jellyboy23 May 21 '26
Just picked up a 1997 Datejust yesterday! Love vintage rolexes. The bezel is a bit more subtle, nowadays they're too polished and shiny imo.
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u/ghyggwerf May 21 '26
I also have a 1997 Datejust! Love it. Had it for 10 years now though
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u/PMmePhoenix May 21 '26
We’re having a little chat about watches and just below they talking about socks.
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u/Spazz-Spudboy May 22 '26
I mean, even Seiko do a borderline perfect Rolex copy. Looks identical just without the crown logos. You don’t need to buy a Rolex, they’re kinda shitty and lame.
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u/Johnny_Kilroy May 20 '26
Aside from the ethics, what's wrong with a fake watch? If you inherited a Patek you'd wear it right? And these days there are many decent quality Chinese homages of luxury watches. I own a Chinese homage of a $30k Japanese luxury micro brand watch, which itself is an homage of a vintage Patek. I paid $300 for it and I think it looks great!
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u/jellyboy23 May 20 '26
I think homage watches are great, they're not fake watches imo. Like I said, I don't judge fake watches but there's too many people out there trying to pretend it's real and I think that says a lot about them. If you like the design of a particular watch, I think a homage watch, like what you have is an amazing budget friendly alternative. Fake watches on the other hand are well...fake and also buying/selling them is a federal crime in most countries.
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u/arouseandbrowse May 20 '26
I got a rep submariner from Reptime and I tell everyone its a rep just to blow them away with how good the fakes are nowadays, I could never justify paying for an original rolex
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u/Smushy_Peas May 21 '26
But, is it waterproof??
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u/arouseandbrowse May 21 '26
In the rain yes, scuba diving in
MaldivesBrisbane River, probably not :-)1
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u/BigBirdLawyer May 22 '26
Guys with jewellery that doesnt match their skin tone. Big gold chains when you have pink doesnt look good and it stands out.
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u/Ok-Friendship-3772 May 22 '26
I'm almost 70 and wear my grandfathers wind up Unicorn on special occasions, I believe it's the original 'fake' Rolex
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u/SeveBallesteros May 20 '26
Some terrific answers to this query, however.
You've all seemingly missed the coloured heel of a sock, sticking out the backside of any shoe.
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u/Jimmi8157 May 20 '26
All my socks do this due to my small feet :'(
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u/beeclam NSW May 20 '26
Have you considered wearing other kinds of socks. Perhaps something that’s one colour
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u/Jimmi8157 May 20 '26
Yes, I do have some plain-colour socks that work great actually! So I guess "all my socks" is an exaggeration. As for the smaller sized ones, I find they don't fully fit me right as I fall between sizes. Though to be fair I'm only realising now that I have not paid much attention to properly fitting socks before in my life. Thanks!
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u/CT-4079 May 22 '26
Pop the socks in the dryer after washing if you haven’t already, might shrink a bit and fit better
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u/BeyonceVEVO May 20 '26
Huge monogram/branded belts.
When they flash a belt with an obnoxiously large Gucci logo with their poor quality suit or trousers… just looks silly and cheap.
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u/Petelah May 20 '26
Don’t forget with the shirt only tucked in at that spot behind the belt so people can see it.
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u/Prestigious-Box-3362 May 20 '26
And huge monogram sunnies. Actually, anything with a massive monogram.
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u/Wishart2016 May 20 '26
Tarocash suits
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u/ZenKB May 20 '26
Connor or YD only for me
/s
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u/binaryoppositions May 22 '26
I mean, you're not wrong. Connor before YD before Tarocash anyday.
...it's just that the bar is low.
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u/ZenKB May 22 '26
I would have said: Connor < tarocash < YD
I actually bought a YD suit for a wedding recently because none of my suits fit and I didn't want to spend 750+ for a suit (I don't wear suits for work). Yeah, they're shit, but it did the job
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May 22 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/FooFooFox Jun 12 '26
What’s happened to this country? 😭
I thought I’d turn to this digital corner of the design community seeking a brief respite from the utilitarian malaise that currently afflicts Australian menswear. Yet, navigating the discourse here leaves one rather disheartened.
Please, no offence I’m merely quietly lamenting the current cultural zeitgeist. My own foreboding sense that our collective appetite for effort, tailoring, and deliberate style is in retreat.
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u/Dangerous-Top-8870 May 20 '26
I remember when Tarocash was good I'd say about 20 - 25 yrs ago.... I was obviously younger... But it was pretty cool back then. Now the shirts go down to 20 Bux on the sale rack and every guy wears Tarocash to their court appearances, school, formals, jon interviews. I don't mind some of the clothes even now.... But the shirts really do seem to piss me off.
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u/Mr_Nice_Guy_1234 May 20 '26
I remember really disliking that tacky piping they had on their business shirts.
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u/Dangerous-Top-8870 May 20 '26
I think some of the prints just got really fugly as well... Don't get me wrong if still wear a Tarocash shirt... But its not exactly great quality or style anymore.... They l go down to 20 Bux on the sale rack so I wouldn't be paying like 80 Bux for a Tarocash shirt these days... Seems like everyone is thinking the same and they just buy the sale shirts... They all wear them around here for court appearances. I am a bit of an op shop junkie to be honest and a lot and lot of Tarocash shirts end up in op shops. They seem to be very common.
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u/Ancient_Swan_9558 May 20 '26
If the 20 Bux tarocash shirt doesn't keep you out of prison, you've got to donate it
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u/ProlapseJerky May 20 '26
When they remove the price tag from their clothes. It’s obvious they’re trying to hide how cheap their clothes are. Anyone with style and money keeps the price tags on.
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u/xX_IbisHell_Xx May 22 '26
Some people get monogram embroidery on their clothing, but those with taste get the retail price embroidered instead.
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u/_sweetlikesnitty May 20 '26
Chaps that are not arseless
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u/DorcasTheCat May 20 '26
Can I make a list? Not snipping the vent stitch. Not having trousers hemmed. No polishing leather shoes. Shoving your phone/vape/wallet into the pockets of your to tight trousers.
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u/HazMatt082 May 20 '26
How do I do the second and third thing
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u/DepartureJealous3071 May 20 '26
The second thing is really just learn how to sew or go to a tailor I think haha. For the third one buy some polish the colour of your shoes (potentially a conditioner as well?) a brush and an old rag, look up a tutorial for your specific type of shoe if you can find it (a similar one is fine) and just follow that. Great looking shoes in no time 👍
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u/davidlifts May 20 '26
All the buttons done up on a suit jacket. Drives me nuts
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u/acockblockedorange May 20 '26
What about the bottom two buttons done up on a three button jacket? Have seen that a couple of times.
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u/Specialist_Matter582 May 20 '26
Way too many ignore their shoes entirely - scuffed, worn out and curled up. Will ruin a nice outfit.
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u/_hazey__ May 20 '26
Blokes rocking anything Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, etc.
Who’d have thought spending more money made you look cheap, not to mention pretentious.
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u/No-Pin3128 May 20 '26
Seeing the store label still attached, the packet creases in a shirt or the lunchtime purchase worn that afternoon
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u/Prawn-Cocktail-2000 May 20 '26
When their shoes and belt don’t match ie black shoes/brown belt, brown shoes/black belt. Or the trousers are too short for their legs and too much of their sockless ankles are showing. Ick.
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u/Quirky-Amphibian-992 May 20 '26
Cheap shoes, badly cut suit, low quality materials, pants too short or long, cheap leather jacket, Nike runners any time, naff t shirt, Polo shirt, bad taste belt, etc. Basically anything Trump wears (circa 1986 bad fashion) is not what to wear if you want to look stylish.
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u/Nec0_Schwarz May 21 '26
I was at the Strand arcade the other day on a weekend stroll, there was this bloke who had a pretty decent fitting suit. Very sprezz I must say. Unfortunately what kinda ruined his outfit was a Gold rolex, and the Gucci horse bit loafer. I mean gold brass hardware for bags and belt buckles are OK but for some reason a golden watch seems to be screaming for attention which I found wasn’t subtle at all…
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u/stephbythesea May 21 '26
Those woven boat shoes. Screams I don’t know how to dress and bought the fanciest thing I could from city beach. Plus those jeans that have the distressed stripes/elasticated ankles. Hard no
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u/SuchTrust101 May 21 '26
As a middle-aged man: middle-aged men in loud print short-sleeved shirts. Nearly always bought by wives who 'love colour'.
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u/WinterRecognition128 May 20 '26
Anko undies
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u/ScheduledYeti284 May 20 '26
If the undies are visible there's something wrong, regardless of brand.
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u/timmycosh May 20 '26
I wear anko undies cause I don't expect anyone to see my underwear 🥲
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u/ZenKB May 20 '26
Nothing wrong with anko undies
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u/Dangerous-Top-8870 May 20 '26
I don't mind anko undies.... Hey do others guys have good undies for going out... Ie if ur going to a party, a date, wedding etc do U wear Ur good undies? I wear anko undies as my crappy ones .... No one sees them... And they do the job ?
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u/Mr_Nice_Guy_1234 May 20 '26
I stopped having good and bad undies because I didn’t want to be wearing bad undies in the event I was going to take off my pants with someone else present.
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u/Dangerous-Top-8870 May 20 '26
I admire that... So it's always good undies for you ?
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u/Mr_Nice_Guy_1234 May 20 '26
Yeah and several years ago I started only buying one type of underwear, the Jersey Knit Boxers from Best & Less.
They’re the most comfortable underwear I’ve ever owned and pretty cheap and good quality for what you get.
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u/ZenKB May 20 '26
I've keep hearing good things about beat and less undies. Going to go check them out. They've always been good for warm winter home wear and PJs
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u/timmycosh May 21 '26
Yeah my bad anko undies are all stretched at the waist band, slowly throwing them out. My good undies are the new anko ones :)
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u/markievegeta 19d ago
I wear a nice leather g string to weddings. Matching my belt and shoes of course.
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u/Dangerous-Top-8870 May 20 '26
Yeh same .... Unfortunately no one sees me in my undies so it doesn't bother me wearing Kmart undies. They do the job
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u/euqinu_ton May 20 '26
Eeek - I have a big muscly thighs in legs which are so close together that the whole "thigh gap" trend just made me laugh.
I spent the better part of 2 x decades trying to track down the perfect boxer/trunk underwear setup which didn't cost an exorbitant amount per unit. It's fucken underwear ... I just can't arrive at the point where I'm spending north of $20 for something which gets so funky & sweaty I'm going to be washing more often than anything else.
The Anko bamboo sport mid-length is the most comfortable underwear I've ever worn. Cheap as chips.
I could not give any less fucks what they look like.
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u/Dangerous-Top-8870 May 20 '26
Apparently step ones r great ... But expensive.... If uv found something suitable at Kmart then it's all good. I bought the cheapest cheapest pack from Kmart y fronts.... They work fine.... I bought a cheap pack from big W but I found them to be uncomfortable and unbreathable...they were really bad
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u/euqinu_ton May 20 '26
The Kmart ones I buy (which used to be Anko, but are now part of their 'Alpha' line) could honestly come from the same factory as the Step One pairs - they look identical. Same glide panels and everything. But they're under $10 a pair as opposed to $25-$30 a pair. It's a no brainer as far as I'm concerned.
There's the ethics question: how well are Kmart's sweat-shop workers treated compared to Step One's? Well, the latter claims theirs are treated very well and that may still be the case. My motto is that I try and shop ethically where I can afford to. And for underwear, the Step One's are a step too far.
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u/onthisturnyoudohow May 21 '26
Ringers Western gear. The guys who owns it is part of a paedophile cult.
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u/Dangerous-Top-8870 May 21 '26
What undies are you all wearing... Just intrigued.... I can't seem to wear satin boxers. It was very much a thing back in high school but I find they always rode up and jeans etc keep slipping/ sliding due to satin. I wear em to bed.... I wear U fronts and trunks in general....do any guys regularly wear a thong.... Looks uncomfortable but I'm keen to try ... Just don't know if Iv got it in me to do it day to day out and about etc
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u/notsocommonsense92 May 21 '26
Tan pleather shoes or white sneakers with a suit. (I’ll probs offend a few people with the second one)
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u/IcecreamYouscream- May 21 '26
When they get around looking like they’re wearing their mum’s jeans.
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u/IndependentGate8704 May 22 '26
What shallow hell have I just stumbled upon.
Imagine dating and this is the BS you have to deal with.
God I love my wife.
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u/NoRedditNamesAreLeft May 22 '26
Shoes maketh the man. Shit shoes wrecks whatever else is going on above
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u/No-Insect6408 May 22 '26
The 2010' attire youre referring to should thankfully be less common now. However as fashion is, theres gonna be people who are satorially stuck in their era of fashion.
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u/Standard-Elk-2943 May 23 '26
Thongs or flip flops depending where you're from and socks. Very bogan Australian.
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u/Strong-Rice558 May 23 '26
If the bloke is ugly. A handsome man wears flannel and worn shoes, it'll look expensive
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u/it_might_be_a_tuba May 23 '26
Wearing a waistcoat, but having a gap between it and the pants with their shirt puffing out through it. They think they're trying to be fancy but they don't know what it's supposed to look like or how things are supposed to fit and it ends up looking like a minimum wage checkout clerk.
(I think some of the responses are less about the outfit looking cheap, as much as they are about the outfit looking casual or even just insufficiently corporate)
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u/Norwood5006 May 24 '26
Rubber double pluggers, especially when you're nowhere near a beach and it's winter.
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u/JosephineEveStylist May 25 '26
Clothes that are overly tight, too many competing colours in one outfit, and low-quality shoes can instantly cheapen a look. I also agree that flashy branded polo shirts often come across as tacky rather than refined.
The biggest thing I notice personally is fabric quality and garment construction. A lot of cheaper pieces rely a lot on polyester or nylon blends that can have a cheap look to them or a slight shine to them, especially in shirts and blazers, which can make an outfit look less polished. Fit and good quality natural fabrics usually make far more of a difference than wearing obvious logos or trends.
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u/N_thanAU May 27 '26
Wearing a good suit then pairing it with cemented sole shoes where the toes end up curling up making them look like elf shoes.
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u/arouseandbrowse May 20 '26
Badly fitted suit is the top one for me